Friday, February 22, 2008

One of our rituals that Sophie and I like to do (along with a few of our cats), is to walk the grounds in the early morning. For Sophie, it's to sniff out our latest visitor, for the cats, it's a chance to hide in the prairie grass and to jump out and surprise us, and for me, it's a chance to see what flower or plant has awoken from it's deep winter sleep. The Italian Jasmine is a very special plant here on the grounds. This is an heirloom plant that can no longer be obtained by our local nursery. I found this out a few years ago when I had tried to order it. The owner of the nursery told me the best way to obtain it was to find an abandoned house or lot and dig it up. This opportunity arose for me a few years back. I spotted this growing on a stone ledge on a vacant lot in the back of an alley. I dug and dug and took this treasure home. Only a few weeks later, the lot had been bull dozed down and turned into a parking lot for a pharmacy. I felt so lucky to have saved this old plant. Even though the weather is still cold, it has woke up and said hello in it's cheery color of yellow.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

I am getting busy today planting Caladium tubers and Freesia corms. Instead of planting them in the beds on the grounds this year, I am planting them in separate containers. If they sprout and do well, I hope to sell them at the farmer's market this coming summer. I may keep just a few. These are all mixed varieties so I can't wait to see how colorful they may be!

About Me

After years of living in town, on a street that seemed to growl at me each time I stepped outside, my dream of country living came true a few years ago. Now my dream of creating a farm and making the land productive is in the making. I am starting out small and slow, learning as I go along. Wildflowers, tulips, and daffodils are slowly taking over the untamed land. Chickens and ducks are beginning to hatch. Pumpkins and orchards are looking hopeful. The ground and the weather can be harsh and unforgiving at times, but just like an artist with a blank canvas, I will keeping working at it until I make it beautiful. When I'm not working with the land, I am busy stitching away on my "one day linen line" and other hand embroidered projects. My cup runneth over and I am truly blessed.Please stop by my other blogs....Yesteryear Embroideries for the latest stitches, and My Country Kitchen for great recipes.